I've looked around a bit and have yet to find much about experiences with electric assist kits for bikes. I have an old schwinn tandem that I'm looking into motorizing, anyone have any suggestions or recommendations.

Jackass wrote:I've looked around a bit and have yet to find much about experiences with electric assist kits for bikes. I have an old schwinn tandem that I'm looking into motorizing, anyone have any suggestions or recommendations.

After letting my poor old brain rot on this subject all winter.. Not building a damn thing.. Cutting the front fork and some frame off a scooter.. Attach it with hinge and old brake shoe springs to hold it to the ground.. All the controls switches and charger are right there.. Extend the throttle handle to the trike.. Add some big ass batteries.. Hope to be running to the store with it this time next week..

Jackass wrote:I've looked around a bit and have yet to find much about experiences with electric assist kits for bikes. I have an old schwinn tandem that I'm looking into motorizing, anyone have any suggestions or recommendations.

No personal experience, but I do try to keep an eye on things.

I have friends who have the battery in a small trailer behind the bicycle. They say they like this, since it makes the bicycle less top heavy.

I have seen on this interweb a trailer with the motor in the trailer, driving the trailer wheels. All my vehicle dynamics training and experience tells me this is an accident waiting to happen -- if you should happen to apply more (or less) power in a sharp turn. (Articulated transit buses with the engine in the "trailer" have the same problem.)

Today's JRS is dedicated to that stalwart steed of steel (or aluminum or titanium or whatever) -- the BIKE. First-time Burners might be wondering why we dedicate an entire JRS to bikes, but veterans know how absolutely critical it is to have a trusty bike on the playa.

Black Rock City is a vast open space with incredible things to see, experience and participate in. You're really REALLY going to want to have a bike to get around and explore, cuz like we said: VAST. Burning Man is very much a bike-oriented culture ... in fact, Black Rock City has more bikes per capita than any city in the WORLD. Cool, huh? OK then, onward ...

Here are THREE KEY PIECES OF INFORMATION FOR 2013:

#1: LIGHT YOUR BIKE. There's gonna be 60,000+ people out there. If you can't be seen in the dark, people are going to run into you. And that's a great way to ruin your Burn (let's face it, the medical tent is kind of a downer). Plus creative lighting makes it easier for you to find your bike amongst the hoards of parked bikes.

For the easiest cycling on the playa surface, the ideal bicycle is a beach cruiser with fat tires or a mountain bike. Thin 10-speed or road bike tires can make for some tough travel. They're just not playa-friendly.

Your bike should be in good enough shape to survive and ride smoothly, but the playa turns any bike into a rustbucket in short order, so don't bring your multi-thousand dollar mountain bike if you don't plan on having it destroyed, or doing some serious cleaning and restoration work on it after the event. Or you're just a masochist.

Many participants (this Rabbit included) have a dedicated "playa bike" that's used exclusively for Burning Man ... just sayin'.

The best information about bikes at Burning Man -- including recommended bikes, how to maintain them, how to be safe and keep them from being stolen -- can be found in your Survival Guide (which you've read, right?), and also online riiiiiiight here:

It's super freakin' dangerous to ride around on an unlit bike at night. Dangerous for you, and for those around you. So come on, get some lights and put them on your bike. And we're not talking about weak-kneed pansy lights either ... get good ones that you can see from afar. A headlight and a taillight are key, too.

There's a lot of people running around on playa at night, and guess what? If your bike isn't lit, THEY CAN'T SEE YOU. Riding an unlit bike is just asking to get whacked, and nursing a broken collarbone is a less-than-ideal way to spend your Burn. Without a headlight, you might not see that dude sleeping (read: speed bump) on the open playa. At the very least, it's a lot easier to find your bike amongst others if you light it uniquely.

If you fail to light your bike, and you hear somebody screaming "DARKWAD!!" they're probably talking to you.

So please, if you take just *one* thing away from this JRS, it's this: light your bike. Or die. <Cue the doom-like music.>

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WHERE CAN I GET A BIKE CLOSE TO BURNING MAN?

Say you're flying into Reno, or you don't want to haul a bike from across the country. We've got a few favorite bike shops in the region that still have bikes...

Black Rock BicyclesLocated in northern Reno just a few hours from the playa, Black Rock Bicycles has cruisers for rent, and affordable new and used cruisers for purchase. They come highly recommended, and they always sell out, so reserve early. They also have bike supplies (lighting, baskets, bells, locks, etc.). And, to help make the journey to the playa easier, customers can ship their supplies to them 30 days prior to Burning Man, have them stored without charge, and pick the supplies up along with their bike on their way to the playa. They'll also ship your supplies back to you after the Burn for the cost of the shipping (items must be boxed and ready to ship). Check out their website for contact information, reservations, and questions at www.blackrockbicycles.com

Burner Bikes LLCBarrie and Randy in Gerlach (just 8 miles from Burning Man) are renting very affordable used mountain bikes or cruisers in good condition again this year. You can reserve a bike and coordinate with them now for a pick-up time in Gerlach on your way to the playa. They also have bike baskets and locks available for sale, and you will be able to return your bike to them in Gerlach after Burning Man. Best to reserve one now while they last! To do so, and for further information, email them at randy@gbis.com. You can also call them at 775-686-8200 or 775-557-2290, but it's best to email them first.

Kiwanis Bike Program145 Catron Drive, RenoLocated in a new spot in north Reno, our good friends at the Kiwanis Bike Program have quality and affordable used bicycles still available for purchase. All funds support repairs and donation of bikes, as well as bicycling education, for at-risk kids in the Reno area. And if you return your bike to Kiwanis on your way home from the playa, they’ll refurbish and reuse it for kids! You can also store your bike with them until next year's Burn. Pretty awesome people, right? NOTE: Due to the enormous demand for their bikes and support for their program, they are unable to take bike reservations. You can, however, get one at their shop while supplies last. Hours will be 9am-9pm during Burning Man. More info at www.kiwanisbikes.org. If you have any questions, email them at kiwanis_bikes@sbcglobal.net.

Reno Bike Project541 East Fourth Street -- 775-323-4488Reno Bike Project is a great place to get a well-cared-for and very affordable recycled bike, and to support an invaluable community program. They also repair bikes and carry lighting and accessories, such as el-wire kits, baskets, racks, bells, and backup supplies. They'll also take back and recycle your bike after Burning Man. All purchases go to support this non-profit community bike shop and its mission to make Reno and the world a more bike-friendly place. NOTE: Reno Bike Project is unable to reserve bike purchases over the phone, so you will have to visit the shop in-person to purchase a bike. RBP is open 9am-8pm around Burning Man time. Call ahead though for possible after-hours appointment, and to see if they still have bikes. More info at renobikeproject.com

Rat's Bikes - Did you rent a bike from Rat's Bikes?We have previously recommended Ray "Rat" Leslie of Reno-Sparks, Nevada, who rented bikes for the playa exclusively to those travelling from overseas. Unfortunately, we've received several reports he has taken reservations but is no longer responding to inquiries. We have made repeated attempts to contact him without success and thus we can no longer recommend him for playa bikes. If you have already made a bike rental arrangement with Rat and have not heard back from him, let us know by emailing renopages@burningman.com, as we may be able to point you in another direction for a bike in the Reno-Sparks area.

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BURNING MAN'S COMMUNITY BIKES PROGRAM

Once again, Burning Man's Community Bike program is offering a fleet of community bicycles available for anyone who needs a one-way ride. Community Bikes are easy to spot because they are painted BRIGHT GREEN, with no visible brand and/or the words "YELLOW BIKE" painted on the frame.

The only way this program works is if everybody adheres to the guidelines, which are:

- Community Bikes are for temporary use by anyone without immediate access to their own bike. This is not YOUR loaner bike for the week. Bike rides are only a one-way, temporary guarantee.

- Community Bikes are meant for short trips. Grab a community bike, make your trek, and then drop it off where you found it, or leave it in an obvious public place. Do not keep a community bike in your camp.

- If a Community Bike breaks while you're using it, use Radical Self-Reliance to get it repaired for the next person. Check with Playa Info at Center Camp for a repair camp if you can't do it yourself.

- NEVER LOCK A COMMUNITY BIKE. Burning Man's bike team will cut any locks from community bikes. Don't bring a Community Bike into your tent or RV, and don't take it home when you leave the playa.

- Community Bikes should be treated with respect, as if it was your own. Be nice to the bike. Don't trash it, vandalize it or part it out! It's a shared community resource. And don't forget personal hygiene ... pants are required while riding a Community Bike.

We heart the Community Bike program. Let's keep it working. Here's a blog post about it, if you want to share it with your friends:

If you don't want your bike stolen on the playa, then always lock it up wherever you leave it. Rocket science, right? The unfortunate reality is that bicycles get stolen (or "recklessly borrowed") because they're unlocked. This has been the case for years and years. The only bikes that should NEVER be locked are GREEN Community Bikes.

Here's a handy tip: you can always sharpie your name and camp address on the frame of your bike, and maybe some kind soul will find your bike and have the presence of mind to return it to you ("stealing" tends to be of a spontaneous and ultimately temporary nature more often than not). We'd guess the odds of that happening are actually pretty good: the great majority of Burners are good peeps.

The key concept when it comes to bike repair on playa is SELF-RELIANCE. You should bring everything you need to service your own bike, including basic tools, a bike pump and extra innertubes or a patch kit.

There is at least one bike repair camp on playa, but (and maybe this is petty), we're not going to tell you where they are, lest they become your first resort and get swamped. They should be your *last* resort. Anyway, they provide NO parts, ONLY tools. If you really need 'em, you can find 'em.

So, again: self-reliance. Key concept.

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GOT A BIG THEME CAMP? PROVIDE BIKE RACKS!

If your theme camp is planning on attracting the masses, do everybody a favor and provide some bike racks! Strewn bikes can present a public safety hazard, considering how hard it is for Rangers and emergency service personnel to respond quickly to a situation when they have to wend their way through a thicket of tossed bikes. Information about building simple and effective bike racks can be found on Burningman.com:

The absolute least cool thing you do with your bike at the end of the event is to leave it on the playa. WAY UNCOOL! Our hardworking crews are forced to round up all abandoned bikes and dispose of them properly off-playa. And that mountain of work on top of all else that they do really, really sucks.

If you really don't want that bike anymore, that's ok. But please recycle it in Reno, Sparks, or Cedarville, as part of the Exodus Trash and Recycling Network. "Wait .. You can do that?" Yes! And all those bikes will be donated to bike programs in the region in support of kids in-need. Nice. And way better than ditching them on the playa, right? Same result for you, only with EXTRA juju! "Ok, cool! So where can I take 'em?" Here:

There are several convenient 24-hour trash and recycling centers along all Exodus routes. Recycling is free and trash disposal is approximately $5 per 35-gallon trash bag. HUMAN AND OTHER HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL IS ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED!

Accepted Recyclables: Bicycles, plastics (SPI 1-5), glass, all metals, paper, cardboard, plastic bags, household (rechargeable and disposable) batteries, and non-perishable food and water. Please plan ahead, clean your recyclables as much as possible, and have them debagged and sorted before depositing into the appropriate containers. Deposit trash separately into appropriate dumpsters. Again, NO human and other hazardous waste allowed.

And remember this is a tremendously generous service to our community – PLEASE be polite and responsible!

Project proceeds beyond expenses will be donated to help support new Black Rock Solar installations or other local community programs in the region. Non-perishable food and water will be donated to local Food Banks, and bicycles will be donated to local bike programs to support kids in need. Your mindful participation in the seventh year of this multi-community project community is greatly appreciated! Leave No Trace on and off the playa.

Is it odd that there's no mention of the coral of bikes at the Savemart on Keystone? There is mention of it being a drop off point post event. I was kind of counting on killing two birds with one stone when I picked up last minute things like I did in 2011. I guess I'll have to figure out a backup just in case.

Those are Kiwanis Bikes. During Burning Man, when they have a few extra ready to go, they may put some in the Keystone Coral and keep some at their base for purchase during their Burning Man pickup hours:* We also have a limited number of bikes for sale on-site for anyone who didn't make a reservation.

The quantity available this way is so small, and intermittent, adding it to JRS would mislead people into thinking they could count on getting a bike this way.

Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry..... but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.

Don't see any practical benefit for chains, dust & rain at BRC, but for some of the human-powered designs (perhaps client-powered bike taxis?) where chains end up closer than normal to body parts, might it have a benefit, even if it's just keeping grease/oil off people (if any one's using grease or oil anymore)?

flex chain cover, singlespeed & interally geared only.jpg

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Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry..... but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.

That type of plastic split wire-loom has a tendency to twist, so it might get chewed up rather soon. Also, there is the challenge of keeping the two ends securely joined. And it does not protect skirts and scarves from getting caught between the chain and the sprockets. So I agree it would not serve much of a purpose.

But it is a good thing that people tinker with such ideas. If we did not experiment, we would seldom accomplish anything.

Finally got the trailer hooked up to my trike and was taking it on its maiden voyage(with a passenger) when 3 cranks around of pedals and.... Blew the tranny!!!(ok, blew the freewheel) I had it rebuilt at the LBS to change the cogs on it to bigger ones and it didn't hold up. So, I'll be back there and hope to get it repaired/replaced.

Up until the freewheel stripped out it seemed to pull fairly good on the flat road.

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So the theme this year is like a giant camp out in the desert? With people bringing lots of shit from all over? uh.. -Marscrumbs

Finally managed to find cables for a tandem bike after going to six different stores. Also found the $6.00 cable set at store #5 (everyone was sold out) so I have all the housings I will need.When I trained to be a carpenter, I learned to not start a project until all the parts are in hand... A lesson that has served me well over the years. Well, I now have all the parts. I watched a how to video on YouTube. I guess it's go time.

So I've read in several places that a cruiser or mountain bike is the way to go, as road bikes' thin tires don't work so great on the playa. I am so uneducated on bikes in general that I really don't know how thin road bike tires typically are (google probably comes in handy here). I do know that the tires on my bike are 1.25". Am I going to have a hard time trying to ride with those?

ETA : They are 27" x 1.25" and I think 630 x 32 c (? 32 - 630 is printed on the tire)

So I've read in several places that a cruiser or mountain bike is the way to go, as road bikes' thin tires don't work so great on the playa. I am so uneducated on bikes in general that I really don't know how thin road bike tires typically are (google probably comes in handy here). I do know that the tires on my bike are 1.25". Am I going to have a hard time trying to ride with those?

ETA : They are 27" x 1.25" and I think 630 x 32 c (? 32 - 630 is printed on the tire)

I took an old English Lady's one speed bike my first year, with 1.25 tires, and the playa was hard, and the roads were good. I was blessed with the ignorance of whether that would be ok. The bigger tires would have been more for shock absorption than traction that year. What you don't know, sometimes doesn't hurt you.

Not having much of an option last year I just took the bike I had. 28" x 1 5/8" x 1 1/4" tires and I did OK. Most of the playa was solid and flat. On occasion I hit some kind of fluffy playa coating that I got bogged down in and had to push through or walk. Then as the week went on some of the streets got to be a tad unrideable with deep pockets of playa dust the consistency of fine talc. With just these few inconveniences I was OK with those tires.

One learns pretty quickly too to not follow the water trucks too soon after they pass through.

The next morning you will wake up pretty much your old self except that a very unusual 16 hours will have been added to your store of life experience.

SUCCESS!!!The change in CoG will take some getting used to, turning is an adventure. Almost lost the back wheel a couple of times tonight. It needs a little tweaking on the gears, but I'll deal with that tomorrow. It was GREAT being able to look around when I ride and not look at the road in front of my tire. It took me A LOT longer to find all the right parts than it took to put it all together. And the parts were a fiasco! The guy at the bike shop sold me 3 brake cables and only 1 shifter cable. I used the rear brake cable that came with the $6 kit on the front brake, the cable I got free at Sports Authority to go home and measure with (and wouldn't you know it fits albeit with NOTHING to spare) on the rear brake, the longer shifter cable from the kit Just Barely fit on the front... so with the one correct shifter cable he sold me I was able to finish the project!!!But I'm still pissed that I have to drive back there to return the wrong cable, the gas costs more than the damn cable. I'll return the 3 unused cables and at least make it worth my while. I watched him carefully read the labels too, like he saw it was wrong but just couldn't figure out why and then said fuck it.

Thanks for the guidance! Not sure I would have tried this without the reassurance here and from the kid at REI that said worst case scenario ("What if the shifter explodes?" I asked) I bring it in one afternoon during the week and he fixes whatever I mess up for $40.

Now that the mechanical work is done, it's time for fur and lights!!!!

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Martiansky if you run a freewheel in back did the freewheel break internally (pawl failure) or did it strip the threads on its adapter to the shaft? If it stripped the adapter threads that adapter might be aluminum, and it could be replaced with a steel one for more strength (like these from Staton adapter 15mm . I'm hoping its the latter...if the freewheel can't take the torque you have little choice but to go with a direct fixie sprocket drive. Not so bad for the playa...just watch out for getting things caught in the front chainwheel because it will keep winding it up until you stop...been there heh but on the plus side you can pedal to back up, very useful!

oh nevermind Martionsky, if you have a coaster brake unit back there (that you freewheeled) it wouldn't have the bmx freewheel/adapter. I can't tell from your pictures but do you have a second chain on the other side of the hub driving the axle? I'd ditch that hub completely and put a 22t bmx freewheel on the axle directly if you can...and I really shouldn't have eaten all that chocolate and green tea this late... @@